Towards a conceptual framework of direct and indirect environmental effects of co-working

• Through virtual presence, information and communication technology (ICT) allows employees to work from places other than their employer’s office and reduce commuting- related environmental effects (telecommuting). Co-working, as a form of telecommuting, has the potential to significantly reduce commuting and is not associated with deficits of working from home (e.g. isolation, lack of focus). However, environmental burden might increase through co-working due to the infrastructure required to set-up and operate the co-working space and potential rebound effects. In this paper, we (1) develop a framework of direct and indirect environmental effects of co- working based on a well-known conceptual framework of environmental effects of ICT and, (2) apply the framework to investigate the case of a co-working living lab established in Stockholm. Based on actual data of the co-working space and interviews conducted with participants, we roughly estimate associated energy impacts. Results show that energy requirements associated with operating the co-working space can counterbalance commute-related energy savings. Thus, in order to realize energy savings co-working should be accompanied with additional energy saving measures such as a net reduction of (heated) floor space (at the CW space, at the employer's office and the co-workers home) and use of energy-efficient transport modes.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap -- Systemvetenskap, informationssystem och informatik med samhällsvetenskaplig inriktning (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Media and Communications -- Information Systems, Social aspects (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Samhällsbyggnadsteknik -- Transportteknik och logistik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Civil Engineering -- Transport Systems and Logistics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

ICT

co-working

telecommuting

energy consumption

commuting

flexible workplace I.

Strategier för hållbar utveckling

Strategies for sustainable development

Informations- och kommunikationsteknik

Information and Communication Technology

Telecommunication

Telekommunikation

Transportsystem

Transport Systems

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)